Mike Sherman says Ryan Tannehill will be league’s most improved quarterback in 2013

Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman had high praise for the quarterback he calls plays for in an interview with The Finsiders. “This young man will be the most improved quarterback in the National Football League from year one to year two this year – I promise you that,” Sherman said of Ryan Tannehill. “He’s working extremely hard.”

Sherman has witnessed Tannehill’s maturation process from the beginning. He was the head coach at Texas A&M when Tannehill developed into a starting quarterback after converting from receiver. Then Sherman watched as Tannehill defied the odds after only 19 collegiate starts at quarterback and earned the starting job for the Dolphins as a rookie.

Now with 16 NFL starts under his belt, Sherman sees big things from Tannehill in his second season. “I thought he had a good rookie year for what we asked him to do,” he said. “Now, with us building up some more weaponry around him, I think he’ll be even better this upcoming year. So we’re excited to get on the field and start practicing, OTA’s and mini-camp, and see where we’re at.”

Sherman’s comments make sense. As a rookie with so little experience, Tannehill played better than anyone expected on an offense equipped with so little talent. Now, being far more accustomed to the speed of an NFL game and with weapons like Mike Wallace and Dustin Keller by side, it is only logical to assume Tannehill will improve significantly in his second season.

Of course, pressure will now become a factor. Pressure has always been there for Tannehill. He started at quarterback in high school and college in the football-obsessed state of Texas after all, and started Week 1 as a rookie last season.

But the pressure that comes with expectations can change things. Nobody expected much from Tannehill a year ago. He was thought to be a raw rookie and the Dolphins had one of the blandest rosters in the league.

But Tannehill showed promise and now that he is surrounded by more talent, results and production will be demanded. Will Tannehill answer the call? That remains to be seen.

What do you guys expect from Ryan Tannehill this season? Do you agree with Mike Sherman?